I jumped a little, then laughed at myself. “You snuck up on me.”
“Sorry.” She linked arms with me. “I was just saying it was smart of Naomi to order all that great wine. It’ll endear her to everyone.”
I looked around, then murmured, “Everyone but the board of directors. They seem firmly in your camp.”
“So you noticed the two camps?”
I nodded and she sighed. “I hate the idea, but Naomi is determined to turn this into a competition. I just want to work together to keep things going at a professional level.”
“That speaks to your higher level of experience and understanding of business. The board will surely recognize that in you.”
“Thank you, Brooklyn.” She squeezed my arm. “That means a lot, coming from you.”
Like Naomi, Alice was dressed completely in black, though her look was more sedate. A simple long-sleeved black knit dress skimmed her calves. Black boots and her usual black velvet headband completed the look.
Alice shivered as she glanced around. “I can’t help wondering if Layla’s killer is here in this crowd.”
I followed her gaze and saw Cynthia and Tom Hardesty with their heads close together. They looked as though they were arguing about something, which was not unusual. Tom looked shaken but Cynthia appeared resolute. Then Tom peeked timidly around the room.
Alice and I both looked away.
I glanced back in time to see Tom give Cynthia a peck on the cheek, almost like a son would kiss his mother. It was a little peculiar, but that pretty much described their relationship.
“Do you think he was having an affair with Layla?” Alice whispered.
I stared at Tom, considering, then shook my head. “He might’ve wanted to, but do you really think Layla would stoop that low?”
“Oh, never. But I wonder if she spurned him and . . .” She covered her mouth, unable to finish the alarming thought.
A spurned man might be more than capable of murder, I thought, watching the Hardestys for a few more seconds. Then I shook my head. “Tom wouldn’t have the guts. But Cynthia is a different story.”
Alice gasped. “She’s just ballsy enough to do it. She seems so contemptuous of people.”
I nodded. “You don’t miss much, do you?”
“I’m going to confess something,” Alice said, and took a deep breath. “Cynthia scares me more than anyone else in this room.”
“She is awfully big-boned,” I allowed.
“I know. She could smash me like a bug.”
I chuckled, then sobered as Naomi walked past, followed by three board members, one of whom signaled Tom and Cynthia to join them. The group walked down the hall into Naomi’s office and closed the door.
“What was that all about?” I wondered, then exchanged looks with Alice. “Do you know what’s going on?”
“Not a clue. But I’m going to find out.”
I followed Alice as she threaded her way through the crowd. She could be determined when she wanted to be. We made it to the closed office door in record time. But it wasn’t necessary to get that close. Through the door we could hear Naomi from halfway down the hall.
“I deserve that position,” Naomi cried. “I do everything around here. She means nothing to this place—do you hear me? Nothing.”
“But Layla had confidence in her.” That was Cynthia’s voice. “I’m sorry, Naomi, but she didn’t feel the same way about you.”
“Well, Layla’s dead now,” Naomi said pointedly. “And I’m the only one who knows how to run this place.”
“And we agree, dear,” Tom said gently, trying to placate her. “That’s why we’re giving you a raise and a more prestigious position. What more do you want?”
“I want the executive director position,” she snapped.
“Naomi, don’t make this harder than it already is.”
“I’m not the one making it harder. You are. Why shouldn’t I fight for what I want?”
“Because we’ve made our decision.”
“But it’s not the right decision,” she said, her voice rising. “I’m the one who does all the work and some new-comer gets the job? Not fair!”
“Naomi, please,” said Cynthia. “We’re only doing what we think Layla would want us to do.”
“For God’s sake, stop kowtowing to Layla,” she cried. “I know what you thought of her. How can I be sure you didn’t kill her?”
There was silence.
“Whoa,” Alice whispered.
I had to agree—that was harsh. Even if I’d had the same thought five minutes ago.
“I’m sorry, dear, but the board has made its decision.”
“You’ll be sorry, all right. You’ll all be sorry.”
The door flew open and Naomi ran out, then stopped when she saw Alice.
“You!” she cried, pointing. “You knew all along. Are you happy now?”
“I didn’t. Naomi, I—”
“Stay out of my way, you troublemaker.”
“You’re upset,” Alice said softly, “so I’m going to let that go. Maybe we can talk later and work things out between us.”